Minneapolis Institute of Art

Mask

Dan artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Wood, cloth, metal

Culture

Dan

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

The size of this mask is highly unusual. Unlikely to have been worn, it is probably a 'family mask' that was hung on the wall to protect the household. The four little pouches above the forehead are protective talismans. Characteristic of many Dan masks is the high forehead split by a vertical ridge, and the angle at eye level. The holes in the upper lip contained wooden or metal teeth. Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Africa

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